Sunderland striker must find golden touch

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones must concentrate on rediscovering his touch in front of goal and forget about a move to Liverpool, according to manager Steve Bruce.

Bruce on Tuesday conceded the Trinidad & Tobago international had been unsettled by talk of a loan switch to Anfield, but described the prospect of such a deal as "ludicrous".

Now the Black Cats boss hopes Jones, who signed a four-and-a-half-year deal 12 months ago and has netted just one goal in Sunderland's last 11 matches, will rediscover his form, beginning with tonight's Barclays Premier League clash at Everton.

"There's no doubt the boy has got wonderful talent," said Bruce. "The thing he has to do is make sure he does it repeatedly and regularly."

He added: "Over the last few weeks, with all the nonsense which has been written about him, maybe his focus and his attention has not been playing on a Saturday, it's been elsewhere.

"We want to see Kenwyne play the way we know he can. He's got to be 100%, otherwise - like everyone else in the Premier League - you get found out."

Sunderland's last away win came on the opening day of the Premier League season at Bolton, while they have just one win in 10 matches in all competitions.

Bruce is desperate to end the woeful run and hopes the returning Lee Cattermole will add much-needed bite to the midfield.

The 21-year-old, who followed Bruce from Wigan to the Stadium of Light last summer, has made two appearances since injuring his knee against Liverpool in October.

"He's just the sort of player we need at this particular time," said Bruce. "I was asked at the time - when he got injured against Liverpool - how badly we'll miss him. I think it's been pretty evident.

"Without him we've found it a bit of a struggle. Working with the kid for 18 months, I know what he brings to the table. Even in training all last week and this week, when he's around, it adds something to us. We'll be better for him being back in the squad."

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